The unique taste of Iced Chai Latte has made it famous in the west. Usually, Asians consume chai regularly. The refreshing taste of ice has made it popular in the west.
However, it is equally important to find out how much caffeine is in the Iced Chai Latte before ordering one. Post below answers all questions related to eyes to Chai Latte and the caffeine content.
Does An Iced Chai Latte Have Caffeine?
Yes, an Iced Chai Latte does contain caffeine. The traditional composition includes spices, tea, and milk. The problem is whether an individual uses tea leaves, tea powder, or tea bag; tea by nature contains caffeine.
How Much Caffeine Does A Chai Latte Have?
An average cup of tea consists of 47mg of caffeine. If one compares it with a similar size to a cup of coffee, let’s say eight fluid ounces, it contains around 90 to 100mg of caffeine.
The point being a Chai Latte does contain less caffeine than coffee, but it definitely has caffeine.
Chai Latte Composition:
The usual composition includes cold milk, spices, and brewed tea concussion. Seldom do spices and cold milk have caffeine content.
The story changes when it comes to tea. The tea contains Camellia sinensis. This ingredient is the reason caffeine is present in tea.
People would be surprised to know that the leaves consist of 3.5% caffeine as compared to coffee beans which consist of 2.2% caffeine. However, the hot water extraction process used to brew coffee extracts more caffeine as compared to the brewing process of tea.
Does A Chai Latte Have Enough Caffeine To Keep One Awake?
The answer depends on the individual. A person accustomed to drinking coffee multiple times in a day won’t stay awake because of a cup of tea.
An occasional drinker of tea/coffee will experience that the caffeine in tea can keep them awake for 2 to 3 hours. In a nutshell, avoid consuming an Iced Chai Latte three hours before going to bed.
Is A Chai Latte Healthy?
Again, the answer is yes and no. No, if one doesn’t want even a bit of caffeine in his/her drink.
If a bit of caffeine is okay, there are numerous benefits of a Chai Latte :
- Antioxidant-Rich:
Chai Latte is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants promote better cellular health. Apart from that, antioxidants help fight signs of aging. The antioxidants in Chai Latte are contributed by spices like:- Cloves
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon
Antioxidants also help keep degenerative diseases at bay. Overall, it can help the drinker in multiple ways.
- Better Heart Health:
Chai Latte also consists of flavonoids. According to this report, flavonoids help reduce blood pressure, and improve lipid oxidation. These effects will help maintain good heart health and also provide neuroprotective effects. To gain these benefits, don’t add full-fat milk or excessive sugar to the Chai Latte. - Improves Energy:
According to this report, caffeine, when consumed in any energy drink, increases energy levels as well as alertness. Since the Chai Latte also consists of caffeine in limited quantity, it boosts energy levels for at least 2 to 3 hours. Consequently, individuals can get more work done.
The same report states when caffeine is consumed in higher quantities; it often leads to side effects as well. This is where Chai Latte excels. Since caffeine is present in limited quantities, one experiences benefits but not necessarily the side effects. - Reduces Inflammation:
As stated above, the Chai Latte consist of antioxidants that help fight inflammation as per a report by the National Library of Medicine. Swelling around bone joints and swelling due to injuries or pain can be reduced by consuming antioxidants.
Additionally, antioxidants improve health and reduce the oxidative effect on the body. Consequently, skin quality is drastically improved by drinking a Chai Latte consistently since the body is supplied with antioxidants. - Improves Metabolic Function:
Not all benefits obtained from Chai Latte are because of caffeine or antioxidants. As highlighted above, a Chai Latte often consists of spices. A common spice that is used is ginger. Ginger can improve metabolic activity. Consequently, the extraction of nutrients becomes easy for the body. Not only that, regular consumption of cinnamon and ginger can aid weight loss because of better metabolic activity.
The General Questions About Iced Chai Latte
- Is Starbucks Iced Chai Tea Latte Caffeinated?
Yes, it consists of caffeine. The 16 fluid ounces of Starbucks iced tea Chai Latte has 95mg of caffeine.
As compared to an average Iced Chai Latte, this one is high in caffeine.
So to consume fewer calories, go with the trenta, grande, or venti size when ordering from Starbucks. - Is Starbucks Chai Tea High In Caffeine?
Yes, it is high in caffeine as compared to homemade one. To limit caffeine consumption to 60 to 70 mg, it is best to consume the tall Starbucks Chai tea latte. - Is An Iced Chai Latte Healthy?
Yes, it is healthy because of antioxidants and spices like cardamom, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon. The problem starts when individuals start adding full-cream milk, extra sugar, or cream. In that case, the number of calories increases significantly, which makes the Chai Latte unhealthy. - Is Chai Stronger Than Coffee?
No, chai is not stronger than coffee. The primary ingredient which makes these drinks strong is caffeine. In a regular cup of chai, the caffeine content is 40 to 50mg. The same rises to 80 to 90mg in coffee. That is why, if one wants to have a stronger drink, it is best to stick to coffee. - What Is A Dirty Chai Latte?
The dirty Chai Latte comprises of regular Chai Latte with the addition of espresso. In fact, some cafes offer filthy Chai Latte, which is a double espresso shot.
Truth be told, it is not everyone’s cup of tea. Mixing espresso with chai leads to a unique taste, and therefore only if one likes their drink to be extra-strong, go with the dirty Chai Latte.
Conclusion
So, yes Iced Chai Latte certainly consists of caffeine. Even though it is less compared to a cup of coffee but caffeine is still present. Nevertheless, the numerous benefits of the Iced Chai Latte certainly make it better than many other drinks available at Starbucks or any other cafe.
